Improvement in permutation-locks



" Letters Patent lilo.` 107,775, dated September 27, 1870.

IMPROVEMENT IN PERMuTATloN-Locxs.

u `The Schedule referred to in these Letters PatentV land making pari:V of the same.

* same, which niakespart of this specification, and in `which-` Figure 1 represents an elevation of aportion oi'radom, showing the application thereto of a lockemt bracing my improvements', and the end ofthe spindle n -by which the bolts are actuated;` i y ,t Figure2represents a horizontal section throngha portion of a door, showing the lock, and the spindle for actuating the bolts, inV elevation 'e Q l e Figure 3 represents alvertical section through the i lock, the locking bolt being in the position it occupies e `when the door-bolt is thrown and locked;

,l Figure 4 represents a similar section, showingthe locking bolt partially withdrawn and the door-bolt un` 4 locked; i l l "l Figure 5 represents a horizontal section of the lock, showing the locking bolt withdrawn;

l o t, e y l v. Figure rrreprescntsa side view of the stationary slotted stem, separated from theoperating parts; l Y; Figure 8 represents an' elevation of the inner i notched sleeve and itscombinationand 4permutationcap;, Figure 9 represents `an elevation of' the nest of the `notched sleeves, detached from theirstem or spindle l i Figure 10 represents asection of theucombination Vand perrnntation-ringsput together; and l Figure 11 represents a view ofthe handle or wrench by which the spindle'is rotatcdto throw or withdraw `thebblts. i l A L Vinthe accompanying drawings A vdesignates a portion of the door of a safe or vault, "j 1` to "show the application of my improved lock and bolt or bolts thereto.

QLTbe lock consists of' af'st'em B, securedl'withina i, horizontal openingmadeinthedoor, and isof a length suicientto project "beyond the inner and outer sides t-hereoi'.`` .Y

Itis,` clamped by means of i caps C and D, screwed e l :upon its ends-the outer one, O, against thecombination and permutation-rings, andthe inner one, .1),

` against avlockfnut, E, the purpose oi' which will be `hereafterdescribed l This stem B is provided with a'longitudinal groove l or'slot, F, o'pen at its front end and closediat its inner ne and State of Texas ence being had to the accompanying drawing Aofthe` Figure 6 represents asideelevation of the locking end, to limit, the inward movement 'of` the stem-bolt, and isof a-'depthequal to about two-thirds its diameter, for the purpose of receiving a bolt, G, equal in width, length, and the greatest depthof the slot.

The steln B is also provided with a transverse slot, H,`wh'ich'intersects the longitudinal slot F near'its inner end, through which the door-bolt I passes,in order that it maybe locked to the stem by the bolt Gwhenevera notch or slot, J, in the door-bolt I is brought inthe line of. the slot F and said bolt G, as wilibe` morefnll y described hereafter.

'lheouter portion of this stem B is of' a greater di ameter than its inner part, and receives a series of iuclosing notched sleeves, which, in the example repre sented, consists of four cylindrical changeable sleeves, a, b,c, and d, which fit, the one within the other, in the manner-of a telescope, so that their inner ends will extend the one beyond the other, and leave au. 'nular spaces or grooves, e, between each. contiguous end, except the inner one, which tits against a. shoulder, c', onfthe stem B, while their front ends will project ste`p`-like infront of eachother, the inner one having the greatest projection.

The annular spaces or grooves e are formed by means of annular-shoulders, 2, on 'the interior and near the inner end of each sleeve, against which each sleeve abuts, exceptthe inner one, andan annular l rim, 3,5on each end of the series of sleeves, as shown' in figs. 3, 4, 5, 8, and 9, ofthe drawing.,7 l

The inner portion'of 4the stem B-is diminished in diameter, for the two-fold purpose of forminga shoulder, t',.thereon, against which the inner annular rim 3 of the inner sleeve d fits, and to receive a screw-nut, K, by which to lock the series ot' sleeves against the shoulder 't' ofthe stem B, so asto prevent them from. havin g any longitudinal movement, and thereby maintain their connectionwith the combination and permutation-rings.

The outer ends of the series of sleeves are notched, so as to 'form alternate projections or teeth, 4; and spaces,- 5, of'equal'widt'h and shape; and the combination and permutation-rings Z, fm, n, and o, are each `provided with alternate projections or teeth, '6, and spaces, 7, which interlock with those of the series of sleeves, In order, therefore, that ,the combinationrings uray'lnatch with their respective `notched sleeves theyare made so as to fit one within and upon the other, so that the projections or'teeth of each will interlock with those of equal diameter, foi-the purpose of communicating the exact degree of'. movement of each combination and permutation-ring to its respective interlocking sleeve. l

The combination and permutation-rings l, m, n., and

, o, occupy positions outside "of and against the door,4`

and as they are oiuneq'ual diameters, their projecting teeth fit within each ring, while their outer rims overlap and are supported upon and against each other; and although they are separate and distinct from the series of sleeves; they are, nevertheless, the means by which the sleeves are operated to change the combin ation to lock and unlock the bolts.

The. outer or smallestpermutation and combinationring, o, is fitted upon .the'stem B so as to be flush with the end thereof', as shown in' figs. 3, 4, and 5.

This end has a projection, L, of less diameter than the stem, and is provided with a screw-thread, to reccive the screw-cap C, which `fits against the outer end of the stem and the outer o of the series of rings, and thus hold the latter in place upon the stein.

This screw-cap O is provided with anv oblong opening, f, to receive the axial'at boit G of the cylindrical stem; and when this bolt G is projected through the slot J of the door-bolt I, to lock the door, its outer end will be fiush with the outer end of the screw-cap O, as shown in figs. 2, 3, 4, and 5.

lhe inner sleeve d is fitted upon the cylindrical stem B, so that it will easily turn thereon, and in like manner each sleeve is fitted upon the other, so as to be readily turned. v

The toothed portions of the combination and permutation-rings are also fitted, so as to move freely, the one within the other, and their projecting circular rows of teeth are of diameters corresponding to the sleeves into the teeth of' which they respectively interlock.

'lhe sleeves being secured upon the stem, so that they cannot move thereon toward the front, are also prevented from movingiuward upon the stem by means of the nut K, screwed upon said stem, so as to abut against the inner end of the outer sleeve a.

The inner end of' each sleeve is provided with an annular rim,3, each having a notch, g, of a size` just equal lto the thickness ofthe locking bolt G, and the annular openings h in the ends of the sleeves, formed by the rims, are equal in diameter to that of`- the smallest end of the stem, so as to allow the sleeves to be fitted over and upon the stem, from vthe rear end thereof.

New, it will be seen that, as the depth of the slot F in the greatest diameter ,of the stem B, is equal to the width of 4the locking bolt G, the latter must pass through the notches gin the rims 3 of the sleeves' at the smallest diameter of the stem, and thus each sleeve is locked with the bolt.

The locking nut K is also notched, to allow the bolt to pass through it, and, in order-that its notch 8 may always be presented exactly to the bolt, and to prevent it from changing its position, it is secured to the stem when properly adjusted against the sleeves, by-

a lock-screw, j, which serves to gauge such adjustment. v

That part of the bolt G which projects beyond the smallest diameter of the stem, is provided with a se ries of notches, 9, equal in width to the thickness of the annular rims 3, and of equal number therewith, for the purpose of receiving said rims to lock each with the bolt, as itis obvious that when the rims 3 of the sleeves are thus intel-locked with the notches of the bolt, the latter cannot be withdrawn until all the potcles g in the rims 3 are brought in line with the olt In order to prevent the s tcm fi'om being turned with the door, I make its inner end square, and fit thereon a square lock-nut or collar, E, which is countersunk on the inner side of the door, and thus renders it impossible to turn the stern in either direction; and to prevent the stem from being drawn out of' the door its inner end is provided with a screw-thread, to receive a nut, D, which, when screwed against the square collar E, renders it impossible to pull the stem from its socket in the door.

iwf/15 2 The square collar E and the screw-nut D, therefore, form a perfect security against either turning or withdrawing the lock, when properly secured in the door; while the stem is prevented from being driven inward through tile door, by means of the nut K abutting glainst a shoulder in the door, and also vby the door- The construction and arrangement of' the several parts of the lock having been described, it remains now to describe and illustrate the method of locking and unlocking the bolt or bolts.

within each other, so that their outer faces overlap and leave a portion of leach exposed, for the pura-nd figures, as shown in fig. 1, the whole number of letters and figures of each ring being always equal to and corresponding with the whole number and position of theiteeth and notches f each sleeve, and as these maybe increased or diminished in number, according to the diameter of the sleeves or the size of the teeth, notches, 'and letters, and as the sleeves and combination-rings may also be of a greater or less number, it is obvious that the number of changes of which they are capable may be extended indefinitely, and become al most endless.

The letters and figures of cach combination-ring or plate must be inexact line with vthe teethY and notches of their respective rings, and the center of the teeth o r notches (either) of the sleeves must be exactly in the center of the notches g in the sleeves, in order to produce the exact movement to bringv the locking notches g iu line with the bolt, according to the combination vof letters, figures,sor both combined, upon which the bolt is locked.

The letters and figures of each combinationLring are equally divided into positivesand negatives alternately, so that one half (those of the positive) of the letters and figures only of each ring act in unison with the sleeves and their notches g, to loc-k and unlock the bolt, while the other half' are so many blanks or blinds to anypcrson attempting to open the lock without the proper combination, as they cannot brin f the notches g of the sleeve at no time iu line with t e bolt G.

In the example represented in the drawing, the affirmative letters commence with A on the inner and third`rings, and with B on the second and fourth rings; hence, the letters B on these rings are negatives or blinds, and also'the letter A on the second and fourth sent the positives, and the figures 3 the negatives or blinds on the second and fourth rings, and in this manner they alternate with each other throughout the letters and figures of each ring;

The bolts are locked and unlocked on any of the or upon any word which any four of the positive letters will spell for example, it may be locked and unlocked upon the letters: A, of the inner ring; B, of the second ring; A, of the third ring; and B, of the fourth or outer ring; or with figures 2 on the inner; 3, on the second; 2, on the third; and 3, on the fourth or outer ring; or with letters and figures combined, such as 2, on the inner; B, on the second; A, 9u the third; and 3, on the outer or fourth ring, when such examples are set for. that purpose.

In cutting the letters and figures upon each combination-ring, care must be taken to have cach exactly in a line with the center of each tooth, or notch of each ring, and the center of the locking notch g at the rear end-of each sleeve; and the positive letters and figures are ascertained'by this arrangement.

The lock, therefore, only locks and unlocks on the positives, which bring the notches g ofthe sleeves all in aline with eachother, when on the word to which The combination and permutation-rings being fitted V pose of having cut thereon the letters of the alphabet rings, (the outer ring being the fourth of the series,)- while the figures 2 on thefirst-named two rings repref four positive letters or figures, separately or combined, v

it is set; but, so longas' one of the notches g of any one ofthe sleeves is out of suchy line, the lock cannot4 `be opened, because they will be either on negatives,

` or noton t-he proper combination.

In order to changethe combination, it is only nec# essary to unscew the outer ca'p C, so as to allow the combination-ring or rings to be 'withdrawn suiliciently to permit the teeth-6 thereof to befseparated from and to pass tl1o"se,4, of the sleeve, so as to be turned the distance of one notch, or any number of notches,

and be again "interlocked, and 'the combination may be thnschanged-byhshifting onering only, or allmay be changed lin ,like manner. .Y

y @When the desired changes of the combination-rings are made, the cap O is again screwed on, andthe opening ftherein brought opposite that of the stem B, and

held in such position by a looking screw, L, passed` `through'saidcap into the end 'of the stem, and 'which may be easily taken out to unscrewth'e cap.

The door-bolt Lashas `alreadybeeu described, has a transverse slot, J, -{which,whe`u brought opposite the slot Ein the stemfallowsthe locking-bolt G of said `stemto be projected into theV notch J of the door- ,bolt I, andfthns lockthe twobolts and the stem together',`as" shown in figs. 2and 3 of the drawing.,

lIhe door-boltor bolts areoperated by a spindle, M, secured within the door parallel to the lock, and provided near its inner endfqwith cogged teeth, q, into which the eogged teeth fr, formed on the inner endsV p o f the Vdoor-bolts I I'match; so thatthe turning of the `spindle, M willvthrow orwithdraw the bolt or bolts,

which, being arranged on opposite sides of the spindle,

. admits of their `parallelInovementc- 'lhe throw oi', the `bolt is limited bythe recess in the door or jamb, against which the endof the bolt abuts, in order to bring its lo'cking slot JA always opposite that in the stern; or this maybe accomplished by pressing theflocking bolt G in when throwing. the

"door-bolts., l V t Y l Theinner ends of the" bolts are 'guided between shoulders s on the spindle, which serve also as a lock to the; spindle, to prevent `it from being drawn out vof Vits bearings, or driven inside of the door.

'lhe front end of this-spindle also has a shoulder on it to prevent it 'from being drawn out, and its end is ilush with -the face ofthe door. It isalso notched, to receive a `wrench yor key, 1 N, by which to turn it, to operate the bolt or bolts; or it may be provided with a knob or handle of any-description.' 1

"'lwo, four, or morebolts may be arranged so as to l beoperated by one and the same spindle, and two or f morevdoor-bolts may be -am'angedso as to be locked with the locking bolt of the `grooved stem.

By this arrangement of a toothed operating spindie, M, the bolts may be placed at any suitable angle without nterfeling with the'operation ofthe lock.

A small milled head-Seremi), is screwed into the y outer end of the locking bolt when it is'desired to draw'it out of the range of the door-'bolt I, when nnlocked'. t

For convenience, this screw Q is kept with the wrench N, being screwed in one end of its handle, as shown in lig. l1, and may be carried in the pocket, or keptin any convenient placefor use.

The end of-vthe door-bolt or bolts I I', may be provided with a vertical bar,so as to form a T, to tinto recesses both in the door and jamb, so as to perfectlyr close the joint of the door by halving the bar within the door and jamb, and in this way the joint may be protected from the entrance oi' either tool or powder by the bolt itself. A

Every part of the lock maybe pnt on and taken from the door with great facility, and all the part-s separated and put together at once, wit-hout the slight- 'est injury to the door or. lock; for, when the door is unlocked, the removal-of the ,inner screw-nut will al- .low tilel stem B and all its parts to be drawn out.

.lhelock can bev used'fcr a trunk, in which case the lockingbolt G must have a horizontal slot, to receive armsmade with Ithe hasp, to interlockwith said slot.

Instead otthe negatives or blinds being indicated by letters and figures, they may be indicated by spaces only.

Having. described luy-invention,

' l. The Vaxial locking bolt, G, arranged within the xed stem B, so as to lbe withdrawn partially or en- Vtirely therefrom, through the screw-cap C, when released from the sleeves to unlock the door-bolts, substantially as described.

2. The xed stem B, secured wit-hin th'e door, so as to prevent it from turning therein, by means of the angular collar E', secured upon the inner angular end of the stem B, and within a recess iu the door, by means of 'the nut D, substantially as herein described. 3. 'The operating'v cogged spindle.,M, constructed vwith shoulders s s, in such manner'as to embrace the cogged ends of the door-bolts I l', and thus prevent said spindle from being forced either in or out of the dor, and also to form yguides to said bolts, asl-herein described.

4. In a permutation-lock, the combination and arrangement of the fixed stem B, the axial bolt G,

.the notched 4and toothed sleeves a b c al, the toothed `permutation-rings l m u o, having positive and negative letters and figures arranged in divisions, the screw-caps C D and collar E, the transverse slot H, with the door-bolts I I', having a'lslot, J, andthe cogged spiridle M, by which the door-bolts are operated, the several parts being constructed, arranged, and operatingsubstantially as herein described.

In testimony whereof' I have hereunto set my hand.

p `WM. N. HALL. Witnesses: l

' l, H. UPPERMAN, A. E. H. Jonsson. 

